In India, goat farming is a well-established and very old type of agriculture, especially in regions where the dry land farming system is practised. Basically, it is practised by farmers who have small pieces of agricultural land.
As the initial investment and risk involved in it are very low compared to other types of farming, landless labourers often do goat farming. And that’s why goats are regarded as the ‘cow of the poor man.’
The Goat Farming Advantages
- Mutton or goat meat is in great demand and there is no religious stigma about it as well. Moreover, goat meat is lean meat and contains less cholesterol.
- The initial investment required for goat farming is considerably lower than for milk farming.
- It is possible to start a goat farm with only 1 goat and eventually increase it to a herd.
- Goats are much more likely to have a sour taste than other species. They therefore eat nearly all plant forms which are not eaten by other species.
- In almost all forms of climatic conditions, they can live.
- Goat milk has tiny and easily digestible fat globules.
- Nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium are also very rich in goat droppings. It is, therefore, excellent organic manure.
- By the age of 16 to 17 months, goats usually begin milking.
Jamunapari Goat
In Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly found.
With convex face line and large folded pendulous ears, they are large-sized goats, tall & leggy.
An adult male goat weighs from 65 kg to 80 kg and a female goat weighs from 45 kg to 60 kg.
Big udder & large teats have this goat breed and their average yield is 280 kilogrammes / 274 days.
They also have the capacity to produce 2 to 2.5 kilogrammes per day of milk.
With plenty of shrubs for browsing, Jamunapari thrives best under various conditions.
Goat of Malabari
The breed is native to northern Kerala.
It has skin of decent quality.
A meat of average consistency.
The total weight is 39 kg for the buck and 31 kg for the doe.
Kidding with twins & triplets is once a year,
Their average yield is between 0.9 and 2.8 kg per day of milk.
The average milk yield for lactation is 65 kg.
The mean lactation period is 172 days.
The Goat of Barbari
In states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, they are found.
Barbari goat breeds are mainly cultivated for milk and meat purposes.
An adult male goat weighs 25-35kgs and a female goat weighs about 35-45kgs
The breed Barbari has the capacity to provide 1-1.5kgs of milk per day.
There are very good reproductive abilities in these types of breeds.
They can give birth to 2-3 children.
They are normally stall-fed and can yield milk of 0.90 to 1.25 kg
Barbari is a productive breeder.
In general, this type of goat breeds children twice, at an interval of 12 – 15 months.
Goat of Beetal
They can mainly be found in the northern state of Punjab.
The Beetal goat breeds are primarily cultivated for milk and meat.
In general, they are smaller than the Jamunapari breed.
A male adult ranges from 50-70kgs and a female goat adult ranges from 40-50kgs
The median yield for lactation is 150 kg.
They have the capacity to supply 1 to 2 kg of milk per day.
The maximum yield during the lactation period of 177 days is 591.5 kilogrammes.
Goat of Tellicherry
They are sometimes referred to as breeds of Malabari.
Tellicherry can mainly be found in the southern state of Kerala.
They are grown mainly for meat purposes.
The adult male ranges from 40 to 50kgs, while the adult female ranges from 30 to 40kgs.
Malabari can yield 1-2kgs/day of milk.
As compared to others, this breed has greater reproductive capabilities.
Goat of Sirohi
They can be found in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the states of
The average body weight is 50 kg for Buck and 23 kg for Doe.
Kidding happens once a year, and in this breed, twins are common.
The average age for the first joke is 19 months.
Their average yield for lactation is 71 kg.
And the average period is 175 days for lactation.
Goat Osmanabadi
This goat breed is found in the Maharashtra districts of Latur, Osmanabad, Ahmednagar, Parbhani & Solapur.
The consistency of the meat is very good.
The average age at first kidding for goats is 19-20 months.
Up to 3.5 kilogrammes a day is provided by good yielders.
The average yield of milk is 170 to 180 kg/lactation.
Kanni aadu goat for goat
These are very tall goat breeds found in the Tamil Nadu districts of Ramanadhapuram and Thirunelveli.
Generally, they are raised for meat purposes.
The adult females of this breed differ from 25-30kgs, while the weight of adult males varies from 35-40kgs.
In the drylands of the world, they can be raised well.
A goat from Black Bengal
Among other Indian goat breeds, it is the most productive.
The buck weighs an average of 15 kg and the doe weighs 12 kg.
For them, multiple births are very normal – like 2, 3 or 4 children born at a time.
The average yield of lactation in Black Bengal is 53 kg and the period of lactation is 90-120 days.
Black Bengal skin is in great demand for high-class shoe-making.
Kodi goat aadu
Kodi aadu is taller as well and can be found in various colours.
Usually, they give birth to 1 or 2 children.
They are raised for the purpose of directing grazing goat flocks.
This breed is located in the Sivagangai, Ramanadhapuram & Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu.
Exotic breeds of goat are;
- Saanen Saanen
- Nubian-Anglo
- Alpine
- ANGORA
- Toggenberg
- Boer
